Hey there C&Vers. My latest, and one of my best, vintage builds is soon to be finished. It's a Mercian, that was all Reynolds 531. Now, after all of my polishing, waxing, acid-ing, and other overall abuse to the decals, the Reynolds 531 decal finally just all flaked off.

So, I am here to ask whether or not it makes sense to just slap a new one on. I'm not refinishing the bike, nor am I replacing any Mercian decals, although this bike is probably a good candidate for both of those. So, would it look weird to have a brand spanking new Reynolds decal on there, but all of the old, original decals? Out here in the SF Bay Area, I've seen dozens of people slap the decals on just to trick people, so I feel like some might see it as a phony trick?

What are your opinions?

Keep it off until you redo the Merican decals IMO.

Pics?

Soon, and by the way, I want your 8spd pulleys! I'll talk to you soon...

I had the same issue with my '67 Zeus. I went for replacement decals, and because the rest of the bike had so much patina, I just scuffed up the decals to match. In my mind as long as you know the bike is 531, there's nothing wrong with replacing the decals.

Oh sweet. I'll be glad to move them, the box has been sitting in my toolbox for too long. Did this bike get the brooks?

Since it's a 531 bike you should replace the 531 decals now.

The originals were made in a butterfly-wing factory, and anyone who knows old bikes would understand that.

Yes sir! The pulleys are for my 'cross RD though.

What do you mean by butterfly-wing?

Oh even better. Can't wait to see it. Wish I had a cross bike. Rather have a TT bike though

Yeah, those Reynolds decals flake off if you look cross-eyed at them. I'm thinking about doing the same on my Raleigh. The Raleigh decals are still in pretty good shape. I was thinking about using this ebay seller's decals: https://cgi.ebay.com/Reynolds-531-196...item45f471585a

I got some from H Lloyd Cycles (along with new Raleigh decals), but the fork triangles don't quite match mine; these on ebay do. Anyone used cyclomondo decals before? Opinion on them?

+1 to that eBay seller ( gts753) in Austrailia -
He does very good quality repro's, and going airmail as they do you don't have to wait long.

If the foil is still in good condition, just use some transfer adhesive or double sided cellotape, and stick the old one back on.

I've done this on many a vintage car part after restoring the base finish. But then I like patina.... and original decals and labels over a new paint finish are a way to get it, while protecting the mechanical integrity of the item.

I wish I could! But the decal flaked to the touch. It just crumbled off...

I've replaced the Reynolds decals on three of my bikes. Two sets were by Cyclomondo and the other was made by Mike Swantak. Remember him?

The pre-80s Reynolds decals were multi-layered and deliberately designed to fall apart if someone tried to remove them (e.g. to place on a different, non-531 frame).

OP: I have a supply of this style decal. PM if interested:

I think that's true of all tubing decals. I just bought a new sticker for my gaspipe Raleigh/Phillips (pics on the way).